The 22nd Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival awarded the prestigious Balanghai trophy for Best Film to MAG-IINA, a psychological horror that follows three generations of women bound by grief, madness, and a dark family secret.
Directed by Giancarlo Abrahan and Guelan Varela Luarca, MAG-IINA was cited for “pushing the boundaries of filmmaking; for its layered narrative, unraveling dark family secrets, deep-seated grief, and a matriarchal dynamic that subtly exposes broader truths about Philippine society and politics; for its exceptional technical artistry; for the commanding performances from its predominantly female cast; and for its bold, fearless, and visionary filmmaking.”
Meanwhile, Rey Anthony Villaverde’s SILKSCREEN won Best Film in the Short Film Category for “its textured cinematography, precise color grading, and meticulous sound design; for brilliantly capturing the tangible, tactile world of a fading craft; for its emotionally resonant story of legacy and reconciliation, beautifully balancing the silent tension and tender affection between a struggling son and his aging father as they navigate time, family, and changing times.”
Best Director Balanghai trophies go to filmmakers Giancarlo Abrahan and Gabriela Serrano. For his film MAG-IINA, director Abrahan has shown “his fearless and visionary filmmaking; for effectively orchestrating cinema’s technical resources into a richly layered family drama reflecting broader Philippine socio-political realities; for his bold, boundary-pushing choices and command of atmosphere; and for drawing out transcendent, deeply resonant performances to construct a haunting cinematic masterpiece.”
Director Serrano, on the other hand, takes home her Balanghai trophy for ELENITA ELENA ELAINE for “seamlessly harmonizing every technical element to craft a powerful, visually mesmerizing story of women struggling to live out their dreams amidst heartbreak and failure; and for guiding her exceptional female cast to deliver profoundly nuanced, authentic performances that radiate raw vulnerability, elevating a dreamless Manila into a transcendent, deeply emotional reflection on hope, sacrifice, and the courage to say goodbye.”
MAG-IINA won Best Screenplay in the Full-Length Category. Writer Guelan Varela Luarca was commended for a “masterfully written, fearlessly complex script; for its layered, visionary storytelling; for crafting a hauntingly rich narrative filled with fascinating, grotesque characters; and for turning a deeply resonant tale of domestic grief and family dysfunction into a sharp, provocative reflection of the underlying dark realities of Philippine society.”
Lysa Catolico and Jazmine Gin Pateña’s RUNO! received the Best Screenplay award in the Short Film Category for “crafting a witty yet deeply emotional narrative; for capturing hearts through a perfect blend of high entertainment and buoyant artistry; for its moving tribute to unconditional loyalty; and for its fine animation that illustrates the profound bonds of love and sacrifice that define man’s best friend.”
The NETPAC (Network for the Promotion of Asia Pacific Cinema) Award for Best Film in the Full-Length Category went to STATUS: REJECTED by Vahn Leinard Pascual for “its effective use of cinematic elements to tell a character study with an unapologetic portrayal of desire and the reality of aging.”
For the Short Film Category, THE RIVER FLOWS IN DIFFERENT PLACES by Lot-lot Hermosura takes home the NETPAC Award for “its authentic storytelling that cleverly works around limitations of the subject, remaining personal and still resonant with the audience.”
Martin del Rosario from TAYO LANG ANG NAKAKAALAM won Best Actor, cited for his “deeply affecting and sensitive presence; for his remarkably restrained and effective performance which carries the film’s profound emotional weight through non-verbal mastery; for his gentle, nuanced expressions during quiet moments eloquently conveying the quiet grief, heartbreak, and resilience of a gay man fighting to look hopeful and strong while caring for his dying partner.”
For Best Actress, Ruby Ruiz (STATUS: REJECTED) and Marietta ‘Pokwang’ Subong (2 VALID IDs) tied for the Balanghai trophy. Ruiz was cited for “an absolute masterclass in screen acting; for her pitch-perfect balance of mischievous spunk and delicate melancholy; for making herself a deeply human center of Pinay folly and absurdity; for making complex, heavy emotional scenes look entirely effortless; and for grounding a quirky online romance in the quiet, heartbreaking vulnerability of an aging woman yearning for love and companionship.”
Subong was cited for “a deeply transformative and devastating performance; for courageously shedding her comedic roots to deliver a riveting, grounded portrayal; and for her touching emotional control, impressively encapsulating in her portrayal the raw frustration, quiet dignity.”
Another tied win goes to Best Supporting Actors Lucas Andalio (MAG-IINA) and K.D. Omalin (HAND OF GOD). The young Andalio was cited for “taking on a most complex role; for seamlessly navigating through intense, grotesque character shifts alongside seasoned co-stars; for instantly owning the screen, holding his own among an elite cast to pull off a jarring, grotesque transformation from innocent child to dark force that remains crucial to the film’s impact; and for an astonishingly mature performance for someone so young.”
The equally young Omalin was cited for “a deeply moving performance and extraordinary screen presence, for fully capturing the spirit of a young boy torn between conflict and hope, and for effectively rendering the sensibility of a Mindanao child soldier whose life transforms as he discovers a love and talent for football, giving powerful life to a dream of escaping violence for a brighter future.”
Singer and actress Bituin Escalante (A.ni.mál) won the award for Best Performance of A Supporting Actress. Escalante was praised for “delivering a ferocious performance of incredible brilliance; for effortlessly pivoting from mordant dark comedy to trenchant drama; and for capturing the deep pain and tight resilience of a woman navigating political scandal, commanding every scene with incredible presence and show-stopping mastery.”
Technical awards include:
BEST EDITING – John Rogers (A.ni.mál), for “razor-sharp narrative pacing and punchy cutting that sharpen the film’s dark humor and biting satire; for precise rhythmic timing heightening the absurdity of provincial patronage and dynastic politics, turning a tense household conflict over a compromising video into a hilarious, expertly paced critique of power and corruption in Philippine society.”
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY – Adam Dumaguin (TAYO LANG ANG NAKAKAALAM), for “evocative visual storytelling; for its powerful, piercing imagery that’s a masterclass in controlling of light and shadow alongside deliberate camera angling; for its intimate visual composition that heightens the raw emotional weight of the narrative, capturing the heartbreaking isolation and tender grief of a man watching his partner ravaged by a vicious deadly disease.”
BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN – Katrish Aristoki (MAG-IINA), for “immersive art direction; for crafting the haunting, gothic atmosphere and spatial design that effectively mirror a family’s deep dysfunction, trapping three generations of women within an unforgettable visual landscape of grief, madness, and dark domestic secrets.”
BEST MUSICAL SCORING – David Yuhico (MAG-IINA), for “a masterfully subtle and haunting soundtrack; for using evocative piano melodies to build intense atmospheric dread; for providing acoustic complement to a crucial narrative thread; for deeply enriching a movie’s gothic tone while accentuating the silent tension, grief, and dysfunction consuming a deeply estranged family.”
BEST SOUND – Elian Idioma (TAYO LANG ANG NAKAKAALAM), for “exceptional achievement in sound design; for effectively crafting audible silence to heighten the film’s intense emotional weight, with every subtle sound and quiet pause intimately drawing the audience into the room, amplifying the heartbreak and misery of watching your partner painfully wither away.”
BEST ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE – The cast of TAYO LANG ANG NAKAKAALAM by David Corpuz, for “their deeply cohesive and moving portrayals; for authentically rendering through their characters the tender dynamics and throbbing warmth of Philippine family life; for bringing profound tenderness to an agonizing existential crisis; and for portraying a devoted partner and a loving family united in care and grief as they stand by their terribly sick loved one’s side.” The ensemble was composed of actors Martin del Rosario, Yayo Aguila, Miguel Oldron, and Epy Quizon.
The Special Jury Prize winners were 2 VALID IDs by Ma-an Asuncion-Dagñalan and Abet Pagdagdagan Raz, cited for “its gripping, socially vital storytelling; for fearlessly exposing systemic decay and institutional absurdity; for transforming mundane bureaucratic red tape into a devastating, life- or-death struggle; and for powerfully capturing the quiet dignity of common Filipinos in their everyday struggle for survival.”; and PARA-PARAAN (FINDING A WAY THROUGH) by Mae Chan Li, cited for “its stark, grounded documentary style; for its piercing look into the physical and systemic barriers of urban life; for challenging audiences to rethink accessibility, inclusion, and the ordinary spaces around us; for its masterful but economical narrative; and for its powerful advocacy for the rights of the disabled.”
2 VALID IDs by Ma-an Asuncion-Dagñalan and Abet Pagdagdagan Raz and HOY, HOY, INGAT! (HEY, HEY, TAKE CARE!) by Norvin de los Santos won the hearts of the Cinemalaya theater goers and audiences, receiving the Audience Choice Award for Full-Length and Short Film categories, respectively.
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